A social enterprise founder has hit out at the “cruel” thieves targeting her shops in Glasgow including one which is facing severe financial difficulties.
Kinder Handl’s children’s store in Carmunnock Road, Mount Florida, aims to recycle unwanted items such as toys and turn the money into an ongoing fund to support community projects.
The organisation's other city base on Battlefield Road has the same aim but is a “treasure trove of delights” for adults and recycles and sells everything from fitness equipment to collectibles, clothing and more.
Sadly, however, both stores have repeatedly fallen victim to shoplifters with the situation becoming so “dire” that Kinder Handl’s bosses have been forced to delve into vital funds to install CCTV at both locations.
Marni Oakley, who runs the community interest company with co-founder Jonathan Banks, said: “It’s pretty bleak at the moment. The thefts have got increasingly bad.
“Recently we found that our donation bucket which was in our till area in Battlefield had been stolen.
“Sadly that happened just before we had the CCTV installed or we would have been able to do something.”
Marni is also concerned about the safety of her "deflated" staff members and the impact it is having on their mental health and morale.
“They feel responsible in some way because they haven’t seen something happen," she explained.
"A high percentage of our staff have mental health and long-term health problems and several have ADHD and autism, so they are particularly vulnerable.
"We take pride in employing people with vulnerable status so we can give them a sense of of achievement, purpose and drive and build their confidence.
"The thefts are more than a financial threat, it's a personal threat."
The situation is so bad that in 2024 alone, Marni says they have already lost more than £1,000 through stealing, with the vast majority of thefts taking place at their Battlefield shop.
It is particularly frustrating because it affects the amount of funds they are able to reinvest in the community, which they do in various ways such as supporting the likes of Women’s Aid with care packages.
“Obviously it has a major impact because for everyone bills are going up - rent, utilities, staffing costs,” added Marni, who is at her “wit’s end”.
“We are trying to make a difference within the community and we're finding that every theft just makes it more difficult.
“We want people to come forward if they feel that something's not right within the shop and say quietly to a member of staff so that we have the ability to say next time to that person 'Sorry, you’re not coming into the shop'.”
The thefts and loss of funds is also hard to take as the Mount Florida shop, which has experienced a devastating drop in footfall, has been struggling financially for more than a year.
Marni is desperate for the community to get behind the store and help it weather the storm.
“Our children’s community shop in Mount Florida is struggling to survive. Not through theft but through other reasons,” added Marni.
“We’ve got a sensory room that was put in for additional needs children and for other members of the community to use for free.
“I think (the drop in footfall) is a lot to do with the cost-of-living crisis and I do need to get that out there that we need support more than ever.”
Kinder Handl is also on the look out for volunteers for the roles of store assistant, warehouse assistant, online sale assistant and social media assistant.
Anyone interested is asked to send an email to enquiries@kinderhandl.co.uk or have a chat in store.
To find out more and to donate click HERE.
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